Best of New England: Maine

||2011 Annual

Lodging

Inn : ClassicASTICOU INNIf you simply can’t leave home without your sports jacket and Bermuda shorts, the Asticou Inn is your getaway par excellence. Located far from the riffraff of Bar Harbor, this classic resort is a throwback to a time when summer was a verb. Dating to 1883, it’s surrounded by formal English- and Japanese-style flowerbeds against a backdrop of craggy granite. Of course, there are plenty of modern amenities, too, in the form of WiFi and a heated pool, plus a well-maintained clay tennis court for spirited games. // 15 Peabody Dr., Northeast Harbor, 207-276-3344, asticou.com.

Inn : Seaside INN BY THE SEA There’s no better way to spend a summer afternoon in Maine than wandering miles of sandy beaches or taking a kayak for a sunset paddle in the surf — that is, if it weren’t for those tired calves and triceps after the sun goes down. The new high-end spa added to the 57-suite Inn by the Sea as part of a recent multimillion-dollar renovation is a great place to rejuvenate your muscles. The signature Sea Waves massage uses an undulating bed and flowing strokes that simulate the rhythms of the ocean — and are almost as good as strolling along its shores. // 40 Bowery Beach Rd., Cape Elizabeth, 207-799-3134, innbythesea.com.

Inn : RomanticTHE WHITE BARN INNLooking for the perfect place to pop the question? Relax, nervous suitors: The five-star service at this inn will fulfill your bride-to-be’s needs before she’s even aware of them. Rooms with double-sided fireplaces facing plush beds and oversize Jacuzzi soakers will put anyone in the mood for love — but save your recitation of “Sonnet 18” for the romance-inducing restaurant, which has seen its fair share of popping champagne corks. To seal the deal, book a couples’ massage at the heavenly spa. // 37 Beach Ave., Kennebunk, 207-967-2321, whitebarninn.com.

Resort : BackwoodsHIDDEN PONDWhen you vacation in Maine, you want to see log cabins, pine trees, and campfires. But you don’t necessarily need all the dirt that comes with them, right? Hidden Pond showcases the best of Maine without sacrificing luxury; cabins here are appointed by the state’s top interior designers. Guests can grill vegetables from the on-site organic garden, enjoy a forest clambake, or be pampered in the “tree spa” — yes, it’s a treehouse spa — then retire to lodgings overflowing with art. // 354 Goose Rocks Rd., Kennebunkport, 207-967-9050, hiddenpondmaine.com.

Resort : For Outdoor SportsTHE BETHEL INN AT SUNDAY RIVER RESORTMaine’s biggest and baddest ski resort, Sunday River, needs no introduction to serious powderhounds. But those who know snow can satisfy all kinds of urges for adventure at the Bethel Inn. Ditch the downhill for dogsledding, snowmobiling, ice skating, cross-country skiing, or tubing. And once everything melts, there’s still tennis, horse-drawn wagon rides, golf…well, you get the idea. Whatever the season, you can unwind at the spa or heated outdoor pool, then tuck into grilled veal chops in the candlelit dining room. // 21 Broad St., Bethel, 207-824-2175, bethelinn.com.

Resort : GolfSAMOSET RESORTIt’s hard to say what’s more challenging: the 474-yard par 14 on the 18th hole, or ignoring the gorgeous ocean views that threaten to distract your swing on the other 17. Even a bad game is rewarded with inspiring scenery, and the rocky cliffs and sea spray make a good game downright magical. Those less inclined to putt around will enjoy copious amenities at this newly renovated resort, which sits on an astounding 230 oceanside acres and features four separate dining rooms, a zero-entry outdoor pool, and 178 rooms and suites — each with its own outdoor terrace. // 220 Warrenton St., Rockport, 207-594-2511, samosetresort.com.

Antidote to Overly Cutesy New England–Style Accommodations CAMDEN HARBOUR INNOverstuffed wingbacks and Laura Ashley, begone. The Camden Harbour Inn swaps the antiques and bric-a-brac for a northern European, contemporary approach to décor. That’s because the owners came to Maine by way of the Netherlands, bringing their clean aesthetic with them. The inn offers rooms and suites with every amenity (plus spectacular views of Camden Harbor); spa treatments; and on-site four-star dining. // 83 Bayview St., Camden, 207-236-4200, camdenharbourinn.com.

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